(SHERIDAN COUNTY)-Present at the Sheridan County commissioners meeting on Monday morning were chair Dan Kling, commissioners Jack Andersen and James Krotz, and county clerk Sindy Coburn.

The board reviewed and approved a contract with attorney Jerrod Jaeger (Yay-Gur) of Chadron to provide supplementary defense services in addition to those provided by the Public Defender’s office. Jaegger will be paid $30,000 a year, the same amount allocated for the prior contract.

Trish Loosvelt and Kris Ferguson of the Cowboy Trail West Inc. reported that cleanup and mowing of the trail between Gordon and Rushville is now largely complete. Next week they hope to present a proposed agreement outlining the terms under which the Game and Parks Commission might transfer ownership of the trail to the county. The Game and Parks Board will meet in Valentine on August 30th at which time Cowboy Trail West Inc. hopes to offer the proposal to them.

Road superintendent Tom Kuester asked that the board to set a time and date for a hearing on a request from Thad Khol to close two alleys in Bingham. The commissioners set hearing for August 12th at 10:00 a.m.

David and Sonia Janssen appeared before the board to present their concerns in a dispute regarding damage to their crops caused by a cattle drive on a section line they farm. Because the dispute is a civil matter, the commissioners took no action.

Mark Tiensvold appeared before the board to request the opening of a ½ mile section of 520th Road east of 470th Lane. The commissioners expressed their reservations regarding the opening of any additional roads in the county and asked Kuester to explore other means by which to access Tiensvold’s property.

Barb VanKerrebrook presented a report on the activities of the Sheridan County Generations in Volunteer Effort (GIVE). Since July 1, 2012, 313 volunteers have reported 76,898 hours served.

Sheriff Terry Robbins and eight citizens from White Clay appeared before the board to discuss law enforcement resources. No action was taken.

The board approved a request from Dean Jensen for an extension of the Homestead Exemption filing deadline because of a medical crisis. The board approved the request.

At 11:00 a.m., the commissioners reconvened as the board of equalization to continue hearing property valuation protests.

The commissioners wish to remind all political subdivisions that fall under county levy authority to secure approval for their preliminary budget requests by submitting a request to the commissioners by August 1st.

The commissioners will meet next on Monday, July 22nd, at 9:00 a.m. All meetings are open to the public, and visitors are welcome. To view minutes from this and previous meetings, visit the office of the county clerk or online at www.sheridancountynebraska.com.

--Submitted by James Krotz

All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in compliance with Nebraska Open Meetings Law.